U19 WC Round of 16 day: Third time lucky for Argentina, Japan make history

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023 are set after the Round of 16 gave fans a thrilling surprise between South American giants, a historic victory for Japan and United States looking vulnerable again.

Third time lucky for Argentina, beat Brazil to reach Quarters

Argentina booked their ticket to the Quarter-Finals as they barely avoided a meltdown to beat Brazil 87-85- and finally get revenge on their South American rivals. Argentina led by 20 points - 77-57 with under 6 minutes to play - but Brazil fought back within 2 points in the closing seconds. Brazil even had a chance to win with the ball and 1.8 seconds left, but the final shot was short.

 

Lee Aaliya had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks, Dylan Bordon scored 19 points, and Lucas Giovanetti added 14 points for Argentina, who lost twice to Brazil last summer at the FIBA U18 South American Championship 2022 and the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022.

"We are so happy because we lost two times against Brazil and now this win and we are in the Quarter-Finals. We are so happy, so happy. Now we want to enjoy this ... We wanted to play against Brazil," said Aaliya, who suffered both losses last year. 

Japan make history, reach Quarters for first time

Japan made history as they defeated hosts Hungary 63-53 to reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time. The Asians' best previous showing was 10th place in 2017. Japan took control with a 20-7 second quarter and led by as many as 17 points. The margin was 14 points with 4 minutes to play before Hungary gave the Asians a scare, getting within 5 points in the closing minute.

Akira Jacobs led Japan with 15 points, Yuto Kawashima scored 12 points and Taiga Okada chipped in 7 points and 7 assists. Robert Meszlenyi scored 14 points in the losing effort.

"It feels so good. This is the best result ever, so this is big for Japan. We made history for Japanese basketball. I have been through a lot the last two years and we did a great job here so I am really happy," said Kawashima, who played in the U19 World Cup two years ago in Latvia. 

USA wake up defensively in third quarter

United States found themselves in another tough game for about 25 minutes before finally delivering a decisive run and winning comfortably 92-69 over China. The Asians led the game 59-58 with under 2 minutes to go in the third quarter but USA responded with a 19-0 run to blow the game open.

 

Tobe Awaka collected 15 points and 14 rebounds and Mark Armstrong had 14 points and 7 assists for the Americans, who rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Slovenia in the group stage. China were paced by Wang Haoran with 20 points.

"It was a great effort by China. They came out hot the first half of the third quarter. During the timeout we had to regroup and said we have to lock in on the defensive end and that would lead to our offense. And that's what we did. The biggest thing is don't be content when we get up. We had the lead going into the third quarter and we kind of let up. Whenever we have a lead, put the pedal to the gas even harder," said Awaka. 

Canada show class in comfortable win over Slovenia

Canada shrugged off two losses in the group stage and reached the Quarter-Finals with a comfortable 90-69 victory against Slovenia. The North Americans took the middle two quarters 42-24 to ease to the win.

Xaivian Lee

Elijah Fischer had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win and Xaivian Lee picked up 17 points. Sergej Macura tallied 15 points in a losing effort.

 "We worked hard and locked in on the game plan, did what we have to do and got everyone involved. We're happy to show that we can all play. We all have energy, we're all one team and not a bunch of individuals," Fisher said.

Top Performers: who did it best in the Round of 16?

 

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Zacharie Perrin of France

Other results

- Spain overwhelmed Lebanon in a historic defensive showing, 102-20 against Lebanon. The Asian country's 20 points were the fewest in U19 World Cup history, eclipsing Cote d'Ivoire's 88-29 defeat against USA in 2013. Sergio De Larrea collected 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals in the win.

- France finally played up to their title contender status with a 119-56 victory over Madagascar. France led 31-10 after 10 minutes and only gave up 5 points in the third quarter. Romain Parmentelot scored 17 points and had 6 assists to lead six players in double figures. Mathias M'Madi scored 33 points for the debutants from Africa.

- Serbia made sure to not avoid a slip-up and rolled past Korea 115-83 thanks to a 33-12 first quarter. Filip Borovicanin led the way for Serbia with 26 points and 11 rebounds. 

- Turkey locked up their spot in the final eight with a 72-53 win over Egypt. Turkey pulled away by giving up just 8 points in the second quarter. Ozgur Cengiz led the team in scoring with 12 points. 

 

Quarter-Finals games

 

 

Spain vs Argentina
Canada vs Turkey
USA vs Japan
France vs Serbia

FIBA